GW Takes Two Nail Bitters at Richmond

Colonials Sweep A-10 Doubleheader with 2-1 and 4-3 Wins

RICHMOND, VA - The George Washington University (21-11, 5-3 A-10) baseball team held off two late rallies to sweep an Atlantic 10 doubleheader at the University of Richmond (14-21, 7-7 A-10) Saturday afternoon at Pitt Field, taking game one 2-1 and game two 4-3.

Game one featured a brilliant pitching performance from Colonials' starter RHP Derrik Lutz (Grantville, PA / Lower Dauphin) (4-0) as he struck out six, walked one and allowed just an unearned run in his seven-inning complete game.

Game two starter RHP Dan Sullivan (Stony Point, NY / North Rockland) (5-3) was also effective, giving up three runs on six hits and striking out six.

After giving up a leadoff double to Spiders' centerfielder Ben Zeskind in the first game, Lutz retired the next 13 batters before issuing a one-out walk to second baseman Drew Poiter. But Poiter was erased in the next at-bat when third baseman Matt McKenna grounded into an inning ending double play.

Overall Lutz set down 16 of 17 after Zeskind's first inning double before he connected for another double in the sixth inning.

UR starter RHP Rob Berzinskas (2-5) was also outstanding. He struck out a career high 10 batters, allowed only three hits and retired the final 14 batters of the game as he was the hard luck loser.

GW took a 2-0 lead in the contest after third baseman Geoff Milsom (New York, NY / Notre Dame) singled in the first inning and came around to score on wild pitch and second baseman Tom Shanley (Stanfordville, NY / Pine Plains) cracked a single to drive in right fielder Brad Rosenblat (New Orleans, LA / Newman / Tulane) in the third.

Lutz cruised through the game's first six innings before UR rallied in the seventh. Trailing 2-0, right fielder Andrew Justice led off the frame with a single and moved to second when first baseman Joe Mahoney reached on an error.

A sacrifice bunt put Spiders at second and third with one out. But Lutz induced back-to-back ground outs to seal the win.

The complete game was Lutz's fourth in six starts this season.

Clinging to a 4-3 game two lead in the bottom of the seventh inning, Colonials' first baseman Ryan Roberson (Silver Spring, MD / James H. Blake) pulled off a difficult 3-6-3 double play to help the Colonials solidify the victory.

GW led 4-1 in the top of the sixth inning when the Spiders loaded the bases and McKenna doubled in two runs to cut the deficit to 4-3. GW reliever LHP Dan Pfau (Flemington, NJ / Hunterdon Central) came on in the sixth with the sacks packed and was touched for the two-run double. But the junior settled down to earn his first save of the year.

Rosenblat knocked his team leading 10th home run in the game.

UR starter RHP Ja Jones (2-3) gave up three earned runs as he went the distance in the loss.

The loss was the Spiders' 10th straight - the first time they've lost 10 in-a-row since 1986.

The two teams will meet for the third and final game of the series Sunday beginning at 12:00 pm.
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